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- Title
- A Comparative Analysis of Required Continuing Education in Florida SB1108 and Teacher Self-Efficacy for Inclusion.
- Creator
- Scruggs, Leigh A., Weber, Roberta K., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
While classroom teachers report alarming rates of unpreparedness, and even unwillingness to include diverse populations in the classroom, our nation is continuing along a trend started in the 1990s to include students with disabilities (SWD) in general education settings. This quasi-experimental research study uncovered the impact of completing the required continuing education course in teaching SWD course mandated by Florida Senate Bill 1108 ([SB1108]; The Florida Senate, 2013b), which...
Show moreWhile classroom teachers report alarming rates of unpreparedness, and even unwillingness to include diverse populations in the classroom, our nation is continuing along a trend started in the 1990s to include students with disabilities (SWD) in general education settings. This quasi-experimental research study uncovered the impact of completing the required continuing education course in teaching SWD course mandated by Florida Senate Bill 1108 ([SB1108]; The Florida Senate, 2013b), which amended Florida Statute 1012.585 (3) (e) (Process for Renewal of Professional Certificates, 2017) on perceived teacher ability to implement inclusion practices. An online version of the Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices (TEIP) scale developed by Sharma, Loreman, and Forlin (2012) was utilized, along with demographic and experiential factors for classroom teachers in the study district to examine their self-efficacy toward inclusion. Analysis of the data indicated statistically significant differences in mean TEIP scale scores for exceptional student education (ESE) and general education teachers. Data analyses revealed that almost half of the teachers had a negative view of and did not perceive any benefit from the course. While ESE and general education teachers had similar preparation needs, they also reported areas of concern specific to their subset. Overall, the course did not provide enough continuing education in the areas most needed by the participants. SB1108-mandated course completion was also not found to be an indicator of higher teacher self-efficacy for the majority of teachers. Analysis of the differences in TEIP scale scores found that only elementary school teachers benefited from completing the course, while it had the opposite effect for general education high school teachers and no significant effect for ESE teachers. Differences in TEIP scale scores from demographic and experiential factors accounted for 13% of the variance in the population and was not significant for the ESE teacher subset. One percent or less of the variance was attributed to completion of the required continuing education course. Implications include reviewing the legislation’s effectiveness for teachers in different areas and grade levels, hiring and evaluation decisions based on TEIP scale scores of applicants and employees, and designing more meaningful continuing education courses. Recommendations for state legislatures, school administrators, designers of continuing education courses, and for future research regarding improvement of teacher self-efficacy for inclusive practices are offered.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005956
- Subject Headings
- Continuing education, Students with disabilities--Education--United States, Inclusive education, Education and state--Florida, Professional development for teachers
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relation of education to wealth and morality, and to pauperism and crime : an address delivered at the reunion of the alumni of Bridgton Academy, on the 74th anniversary, July 12th, 1882.
- Creator
- Hawkins, Dexter A. (Dexter Arnoll), 1825-1886, Bridgton Academy (North Bridgton, Me.)
- Abstract/Description
-
Address of Dexter A. Hawkins, A.M., of the New York Bar
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/fauwsb24f10
- Subject Headings
- Education and crime, Literacy -- United States -- History -- 19th century, Literacy -- United States, United States, Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 19th century, Education -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Format
- E-book
- Title
- Retention in Florida community colleges: a study of the 2005-2008 academic years.
- Creator
- DeLuz, Ancil., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
This study examined the relationship between selected student and institutional characteristics and the retention rates of first-time, degree seeking, full-time and parttime, freshman student cohorts in public community colleges in Florida. Based on data obtained from the Integrated Post-Secondary Data System on selected student and institutional variables for three years beginning fall 2005, 2006 and 2007, retention rates were analyzed for the years beginning fall 2006, 2007 and 2008...
Show moreThis study examined the relationship between selected student and institutional characteristics and the retention rates of first-time, degree seeking, full-time and parttime, freshman student cohorts in public community colleges in Florida. Based on data obtained from the Integrated Post-Secondary Data System on selected student and institutional variables for three years beginning fall 2005, 2006 and 2007, retention rates were analyzed for the years beginning fall 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. This quantitative non-experimental descriptive study relied on multiple regression to analyze aggregated data on eight predictor variables to determine their impact student retention rates. A moderating variable (institutional size) was used to determine its influence on the relationship between the predictor variables and the criterion variable. The results suggest that gender and age were positively related to student retention rate at the parttime level, academic support expenses were negatively related to student retention rates at the part-time and full-time levels, and institutional size moderated the relationship between certain predictor variables and retention rates at small institutions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3332179
- Subject Headings
- Commuity college students, Achievement in education, College dropouts, Prevention, College attendance, Universities and colleges, Administration
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The use of strategic leadership actions by deans in Malaysian and American public universities.
- Creator
- Yasin, Malmuz Z., Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this descriptive non-experimental study was to determine if significant relationships exist between the leaders' use of strategic leadership actions and their success as perceived by their followers, and mediated by environmental contexts, and demographics. The participants in this study 3were 124 university professors and 22 Deans from Florida Atlantic University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The participants were chosen via a random stratified...
Show moreThe purpose of this descriptive non-experimental study was to determine if significant relationships exist between the leaders' use of strategic leadership actions and their success as perceived by their followers, and mediated by environmental contexts, and demographics. The participants in this study 3were 124 university professors and 22 Deans from Florida Atlantic University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The participants were chosen via a random stratified sampling. They were asked to response to 77 questions on the Strategic Leadership Questionnaire ((SLQ), which was developed based on Pisapia's theory of Strategic leadership. The data collected was analyzed through multiple regression and correlation techniques to ascertain the hypothesized relationships. The criterion variable involved in this study was leader success as interpreted by the professors. The predictor variables were the adaptive actions employed by the Deans as interpreted by the professors. Environmental context and demographic variables serve as control variables. The results of the study revealed that the SLQ was reliable, even though the construct validity of the SLQ was not supported. The instrument is strongly recommended for use in measuring Pisapia's theory of strategic leadership. The study also found that successful leaders use a wider array of leadership strategies than less successful leaders. There was also a significant difference between the array of action sets used by successful Dean's in Malaysian and American Universities and the array of action sets used by less successful Dean's in Malaysian and American Universities. Therefore, these findings are supportive of Pisapia's proposition that leaders often fail because they are trained in and rely upon a linearity of thinking mindset, which does not work in situations characterized by ambiguity and complexity that requires them to be flexible and change oriented.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12203
- Subject Headings
- Educational leadership--United States, Educational leadership--Malaysia, Education and globalization
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Relationship of Parent Involvement on Student Achievement.
- Creator
- Jerome, Bonnie Peyton, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
This study investigated the relationship of the use of parent involvement strategies and school performance and how contextual factors affected this relationship. The study employed a non-experimental quantitative design with the school as the unit to frame its data collection and analysis. The Parent Involvement Inventory ( PII) was field-tested with the Broward County Schools to check reliability and validity. Results revealed a .72 Cronbach alpha score for the instrument. The variables...
Show moreThis study investigated the relationship of the use of parent involvement strategies and school performance and how contextual factors affected this relationship. The study employed a non-experimental quantitative design with the school as the unit to frame its data collection and analysis. The Parent Involvement Inventory ( PII) was field-tested with the Broward County Schools to check reliability and validity. Results revealed a .72 Cronbach alpha score for the instrument. The variables studied were (a) parental involvement strategies, (b) school performance, and (c) contextual factors. Six parent involvement categories were investigated and divided into sub-categories to answer the research questions. Seventy-eight K-12 schools in Palm Beach County, Florida formed the sample for the study with a response rate of 71 percent. Data were first collected on the parental involvement strategies used by the schools then related to school performance. The major data collection instrument- Parent Involve Inventory (Pll) was designed to correspond with the following purposes of the study: (a) To determine the difference in type and frequency of parent involvement strategies and (b) to develop a model based on these actions that can be used by principals to increase their school's parent involvement. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.0 through descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and correlations to determine if significant relationships existed. The analyses identified the parent involvement strategies that improve student achievement: (a) Communicating, (b) learning at home, (c) regular homework, (d) participation in PTA, and (e) information about community arts and school performance. In addition, the analyses identified contextual factors that increased the relationship of parent involvement and school performance, such as (a) students with disabilities; (b) multiple parent involvement staff moderated learning at home strategies; and (c) school level moderated parenting and decision making strategies. Conclusions, implications for practice, and future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000671
- Subject Headings
- Parent and child--Education--United States, Parental influences--United States, Academic achievement, Education--Parent participation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Enrollment management strategies, campus involvement, and goal achievement in public research universities.
- Creator
- Brown, Michelle Jitka Domas, Florida Atlantic University, Pisapia, John
- Abstract/Description
-
This study investigated the practice of enrollment management in public Research Universities. The study produced six key findings. First, the number of Research universities with an enrollment management plan is slightly lower than universities without a plan. Second, the Enrollment Management Division was the most prevalent organizational structure created. Third, increasing overall enrollment and improving graduation rates were chosen most frequently by the universities as their most...
Show moreThis study investigated the practice of enrollment management in public Research Universities. The study produced six key findings. First, the number of Research universities with an enrollment management plan is slightly lower than universities without a plan. Second, the Enrollment Management Division was the most prevalent organizational structure created. Third, increasing overall enrollment and improving graduation rates were chosen most frequently by the universities as their most important goals. Fourth, technology and physical structure strategies were utilized the most for recruitment. And, policies and procedures strategies were used the most for retention. Fifth, the strategies most frequently used were identified and discussed in greater detail. Finally, four to five was the average number of functional areas involved in the implementation of any goal. The study supports that an enrollment management plan must be unique for each institution and provides considerations for practitioners and leaders of higher education. However, it raises question to the need for a formal written enrollment management plan for success and to the relationship between strategic planning and enrollment management.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12015
- Subject Headings
- Education, Higher--Aims and objectives
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Why College Undergraduates Intend to Pursue the Information Technology Major: A Multi-theoretical Perspective.
- Creator
- Heinze, Nathan D., Hu, Qing, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study is to explore environmental and personal factors that may influence college undergraduates' decisions to pursue a major in information technology. These factors include self-efficacy, outcome expectations, personality traits, interest in computers, attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and perceived IT job availability. The paper develops and tests a theoretical model based on social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behavior, and also...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to explore environmental and personal factors that may influence college undergraduates' decisions to pursue a major in information technology. These factors include self-efficacy, outcome expectations, personality traits, interest in computers, attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and perceived IT job availability. The paper develops and tests a theoretical model based on social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behavior, and also incorporates the five factor model of personality. The intent of this study is to extend the social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior literatures by expanding their application to IT career choice issues and by including personality traits as additional factors. The latter addition also indicates a unique application of the five factor personality model, as it is rarely used in concert with self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and broad environmental factors such as job market demands. A multi-section survey was administered to college undergraduates at four large universities in the southeastern United States. Analysis of the data results showed that college undergraduates with positive attitudes towards the IT major and high perceived behavioral control regarding the IT major had a greater intention of pursuing IT. The study also found positive links between 1) computer self-efficacy and self-evaluating outcome expectations regarding an IT career, 2) computer self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control, and 3) self-evaluating outcome expectations and attitudes towards the IT major. In addition, personality traits moderated a number of model relationships. Finally, it was found that males were significantly more likely to choose IT than females and scored higher on computer self-efficacy, self-evaluating outcome expectations, attitudes towards the IT major, interest in computers, and perceived behavioral control. The results and contributions of the study are discussed and recommendations are made for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000304
- Subject Headings
- Education, Higher--United States, Information technology--Study and teaching--United States, Educational psychology--United States, Academic achievement--Psychological aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A standards-based content analysis of selected biological science websites.
- Creator
- Stewart, Joy E., College of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to analyze the biology content, instructional strategies, and assessment methods of 100 biological science websites that were appropriate for Grade 12 educational purposes. For the analysis of each website, an instrument, developed from the National Science Education Standards (NSES) for Grade 12 Life Science coupled with criteria derived from the Web-based Inquiry (WBI) for Learning Science instrument (Bodzin, 2005) and other pertinent published educational...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to analyze the biology content, instructional strategies, and assessment methods of 100 biological science websites that were appropriate for Grade 12 educational purposes. For the analysis of each website, an instrument, developed from the National Science Education Standards (NSES) for Grade 12 Life Science coupled with criteria derived from the Web-based Inquiry (WBI) for Learning Science instrument (Bodzin, 2005) and other pertinent published educational literature, was utilized. The analysis focused on elucidating the appropriateness of the biology content, instructional strategies, and assessment tools of selected websites for facilitating the biological science education of Grade 12 students. Frequencies of agreement and disagreement of the content of each selected website with criteria included in the data collection instrument were used for alignment determination of the content of each website with the NSES. Chi-square tests were performed by Microsoft Excel to determine the statistical significance of differences of actual and expected 85% frequencies of alignment of the analyzed website parameters with indicators of alignment to NSES. Chi-square tests indicated that at a 0.05 level of significance there was an overall difference between the actual and expected 85% frequencies of alignment of biology content, instructional strategies and assessment methods with website indicators of alignment with the NSES (p < 0.05). Chi-square tests also indicated that there was a significant difference between the actual and expected frequencies of alignment of analyzed categories (biology content, instructional strategies, and assessment methods) of the sampled websites with website indicators of alignment with the NSES (p < 0.05)., Major findings of this study indicated that 3 out of 4 of the analyzed content attributes, 12 out of 13 of the instructional strategies, and all the assessment methods of the researched biological science websites were less than 85% aligned with the NSES. Only 11 out of 80 (13.75%) of the analyzed websites had collective biology content, instructional strategies, and assessment methods attributes that were 85% or more aligned with the NSES. Appropriately sequenced content that fostered acquisition of fundamental biology knowledge was the only content attribute with significantly more than 85% alignment with the NSES. Provision of illustrative examples to enhance understanding of facts and/or ideas in the context of a conceptual framework was the only instructional strategies attribute that was significantly more than 85% aligned with the NSES. Alignment of website attributes with the NSES has the potential to enhance the educational value of science websites. It is hoped that the findings of this study will motivate science website designers to comply with the NSES. Hope also exists that educators will be motivated to engage in standards-based reform measures for promoting scientific literacy among students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2683127
- Subject Headings
- Science, Study and teaching (Secondary), Technological innovations, Science, Study and teaching (Secondary), Standards, Internet in education, Standards, Web sites, Standards
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A school, family, community partnership predictor model: Based on principals' communication and action strategies.
- Creator
- Bernstein, Susan Beth, Florida Atlantic University, Decker, Larry E.
- Abstract/Description
-
Family and community involvement literature reveals that principals play a key role in the success of family and community involvement initiatives. However, there is a paucity of information on specific strategies that principals use to increase involvement. This lack of information applies to schools in general and for schools with diverse populations with low socio-economic status. To help fill these gaps in information this researcher examines differences in communication and action...
Show moreFamily and community involvement literature reveals that principals play a key role in the success of family and community involvement initiatives. However, there is a paucity of information on specific strategies that principals use to increase involvement. This lack of information applies to schools in general and for schools with diverse populations with low socio-economic status. To help fill these gaps in information this researcher examines differences in communication and action strategies used by principals in, both Title I and non Title I schools, with exemplary family and community involvement programs (as evidenced by their school receiving the FL DOE Five Star School Award) compared to strategies used by principals whose schools did not receive such a distinction. Sixty-one potentially significant communication and action variables are extracted from the literature and grouped into three categories (one-way communication, two-way communication, and action-based communication strategies). Seven null hypotheses addressing the significance of these categories and the potential to develop a predictor model are tested using a specially designed Family and Community Involvement Principal Survey whose content, construct, and validity was subjected to the scrutiny of experts in the field and pilot tested for its reliability. Data was collected in January 2003 from a final sample of fifty-nine Palm Beach County. Florida elementary school principals (an 80% response rate). This data is subjected to a series of factorial Analysis of Variance and Discriminant Analysis, testing the null hypotheses at a .05 level of significance. The analyses identify statistically significant differences in action-based communication variables for Five Star, Title I, and an interaction among Five Star/Title I principals including: (a) planning teacher in-service on involvement, (b) funding involvement programs, (c) creating a Family Resource Center, and (d) encouraging family and community members to participate in shared decision-making. No significant differences were found in one-way or two-way communication variables for Five Star, Title I, or an interaction between Five Star/Title I. Further, the null hypothesis for a predictor model was rejected allowing for identification of key variables in a partnership classification model. Conclusions, recommendations, and implementations are discussed for further research and practical application.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2003
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12033
- Subject Headings
- School principals
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Education and progress : an address delivered before the Franklin and Washington Literary Societies of Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa. ; at the annual commencement, September 14, 1847.
- Creator
- Krebs, John M. (John Michael) 1804-1867, Lafayette College (Easton, Northampton County, Pa.)
- Abstract/Description
-
By the Rev. John M. Krebs, D.D. to Lafayette College (Easton, Northampton County, Pa.) Franklin Literary Society and Washington Literary Society.
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/fauwsb14f2
- Subject Headings
- Baccalaureate addresses -- Lafayette College, Christianity -- United States, Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives -- United States, Learning and scholarship -- United States, Progress, Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 19th century
- Format
- E-book
- Title
- The end and means of a liberal education. An inaugural address, delivered July 11, 1854.
- Creator
- Anderson, Martin Brewer 1815-1890, Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman
- Abstract/Description
-
By M.B. Anderson, president of the University of Rochester. FAU copy edges trimmed rough, to 20 cm.
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/fauwsb17f16
- Subject Headings
- Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives -- United States, Education, Humanistic, Moral education, Religious education, Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 19th century
- Format
- E-book
- Title
- The relationship between professional development and the changing reading practices of teachers in low-performing elementary schools.
- Creator
- Vaughan, Michelle., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this multi-case study was to identify the influence of professional development experiences on the changing reading practices of third-grade teachers in low-performing schools. Schools were chosen to participate based upon a steady increase in reading achievement scores despite failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and being placed within the Corrective Action Phase of No Child Left Behind. Six teachers from 4 schools were chosen as participants based on the changing...
Show moreThe purpose of this multi-case study was to identify the influence of professional development experiences on the changing reading practices of third-grade teachers in low-performing schools. Schools were chosen to participate based upon a steady increase in reading achievement scores despite failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and being placed within the Corrective Action Phase of No Child Left Behind. Six teachers from 4 schools were chosen as participants based on the changing reading practices they reported on an initial survey of 13 teachers. Interviews, observations, focus groups, and collection of archival data was completed over the course of 5 months in order to determine the influence of professional development on their reading practices. It was determined that teacher change following professional development is heavily influenced by the domain of power the directive or development is coming from. A continuum was developed to illustrate the relationship between these varying domains of power and their influence on changes made within reading practice. The changes were categorized as tending toward self-propelled or compelled changes. Teachers within this study reported higher levels of change when they were personally vested in professional development experiences and when those experiences met the immediate needs of their own personal growth or the growth of the students in their classroom.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/227978
- Subject Headings
- Teachers, Training of, Educational change, Language arts (Elementary), Reading, Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Principal leadership: the missing link in teacher retention.
- Creator
- Cornella, Janet A., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this research study was to identify practices that principals utilize that are believed to influence teacher retention. Teacher turnover is a major problem facing principals and school systems today. Much of the present research focuses on why teachers leave the field, but there is little research on the principals' perceptions of what they do to stem the flow of educators leaving the classroom. To accomplish this purpose, a case study was conducted, focused on identifying the...
Show moreThe purpose of this research study was to identify practices that principals utilize that are believed to influence teacher retention. Teacher turnover is a major problem facing principals and school systems today. Much of the present research focuses on why teachers leave the field, but there is little research on the principals' perceptions of what they do to stem the flow of educators leaving the classroom. To accomplish this purpose, a case study was conducted, focused on identifying the principals' role in teacher retention and their perceptions of the most important strategies utilized to stimulate high teacher retention. Qualitative research methods including individual interviews, open-ended questionnaires, and focus groups enabled the researcher to identify, compare, and contrast the perceptions, beliefs, and practices used by the nine study participants. The research design produced interviews filled with rich narratives describing the practices used by principals at schools with high teacher retention. The focus group discussion elucidated the common behaviors that were perceived to support teacher retention. The study yielded evidence that high-performing principals with high teacher retention rates clearly and consistently identified specific practices they believe support teacher retention; that principals play a vital role in teacher retention and that their leadership, support, and daily practices influence a teacher's decision to remain in teaching. The data collected indicates the centrality of creating a positive school culture and a sense of belonging. All the other identified principal practices are intertwined with and contribute to this outcome., Choosing, supporting, and valuing faculty and encouraging shared decision-making appear to be the central practices in building teacher retention; and these practices are supported by and integrated with principals' modeling of positive personal characteristics, exercising fairness and equity, being visible and approachable, and communicating in an open two-way manner. Congruence of findings from all data collection methods provided an updated list of common practices identified by these highly successful principals that may inform principal preparation and a professional development model for present and future educational leaders interested in maintaining a stable teaching faculty.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2683125
- Subject Headings
- Teacher turnover, School prinicipals, Training of, Teachers, Recruiting, School management and organization, Educational leadership
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Middle Grades (6-8) Reading Teachers’ Beliefs Regarding the State’s Academic Reading Standards, Curriculum Materials, and Instructional Practices.
- Creator
- Dacres, Lascelia Cadienne, Baxley, Traci P., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
Teachers’ beliefs about the reading standards as well as curriculum materials used to address the standards affect how teachers implement the standards, which further impacts student learning. In this case study, 26 middle grades (6-8) reading teachers each participated in a 90 minute one-on-one audio-taped interview consisting of 33 openended questions. Analysis was conducted on the teachers’ beliefs regarding the state’s academic reading standards, content materials the teachers used to...
Show moreTeachers’ beliefs about the reading standards as well as curriculum materials used to address the standards affect how teachers implement the standards, which further impacts student learning. In this case study, 26 middle grades (6-8) reading teachers each participated in a 90 minute one-on-one audio-taped interview consisting of 33 openended questions. Analysis was conducted on the teachers’ beliefs regarding the state’s academic reading standards, content materials the teachers used to teach reading, the teachers’ self-reported instructional practices, and how the selected teachers understand the relationship between their beliefs and instructional practices. Likewise, content analyses were performed using documents such as lesson plans, classroom assignments, and assessments that were collected from the participants. There were six major findings in this study. The first finding indicated that participants had mix feelings regarding the standards; they were viewed by some teachers as guides and building blocks while others viewed the standards as not being beneficial to have in the classroom. The second finding depicted that participants had mixed experiences of collegial planning; some shared that collegial planning assisted their efforts with understanding the standards while others indicated that collegial planning could be improved. The third finding portrayed that the curriculum materials used to teach reading were both district-given and supplemental. Due to a lack of rigor with the district-given resource, some participants opted to use supplemental resources that better aligned to the expectation of the standards. The fourth finding addressed both teacher and student challenges faced by the participants. Teacher challenges included the fast pace and implementation of the standards while student challenges included lack of motivation and student misbehavior. The fifth finding highlighted how participants viewed the relationship between their beliefs and instructional practices. Participants discussed the impact, or lack thereof, of the implementation of the shifts in the standards. The sixth and final major finding of this study emphasized that professional development was needed to teach the reading standards. As a result of these findings, implications include providing teachers with professional development opportunities that target practical ways on how to implement the shifts of the standards in day-to-day instruction and instructional strategies to enhance student motivation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005964
- Subject Headings
- Reading teachers, Education and state--Florida, Reading--Standards, Middle school education--United States--Standards
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Florida School Recognition Program: the relationship between participation in the program and adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind Act.
- Creator
- Wanza, Valerie Smith., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
This study was designed to determine the relationship between Florida School Recognition Program (FSRP) participation and adequate yearly progress (AYP) criteria met during school years 2004-2008. It also intended to discover whether schools' socioeconomic status, minority rates, and levels moderated this relationship as well as a difference in average AYP criteria met for schools that maintained FSRP participation and those that do not. The study further sought to determine whether these...
Show moreThis study was designed to determine the relationship between Florida School Recognition Program (FSRP) participation and adequate yearly progress (AYP) criteria met during school years 2004-2008. It also intended to discover whether schools' socioeconomic status, minority rates, and levels moderated this relationship as well as a difference in average AYP criteria met for schools that maintained FSRP participation and those that do not. The study further sought to determine whether these school characteristics and schools' grades predicted maintenance of participation in the FSRP. A quantitative method, including three statistical analyses, was employed to respond to 6 research questions and test 14 corresponding null hypotheses. Three thousand and seventy-seven schools were identified for data collection and analysis. Six independent variables were defined as school level, average socioeconomic status, average minority rate, average percentage of AYP criteria, aggregate number of years 100% of AYP criteria was met, and average school grade. One dependent variable was defined as aggregate years of FSRP participation. The study found that there was a relationship between participation in the FSRP and AYP criteria met, and school level, socioeconomic status, and minority rate moderated this relationship. While school level and minority rate moderated a difference in average percentage of AYP criteria met in schools that maintained participation in the program and those that did not, socioeconomic status did not. Moreover, all independent variables served as predictors for maintenance of participation in the FSRP. The study found that schools' demographic characteristics influence student achievement and participation in incentive pay programs., Six implications for future research were identified to further explore the FSRP and AYP relationship, the unintended consequences of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, the appropriateness of incentive pay education, the distribution of FSRP award dollars in schools, and student achievement by school level. Recommendations were to add an AYP criterion to the FSRP, assess the effectiveness of inducement policies in education, and add a provision for program evaluation to the FSRP statute.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/332912
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement, Education and state, Educational equalization, Education, Aims and objectives
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Impact of Voluntary Remediation on Gateway Course Success and Minority and Low-Income Students in Florida Colleges.
- Creator
- Pain, Karen D., Floyd, Deborah L., Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
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The primary purpose of the study was to explore the potential impact of voluntary remediation on success in ENC1101 and MAT1033 (gateway courses) and on minority or low-income students in Florida. The study was prompted in 2013 when the Florida Senate exempted most students entering the Florida College System from placement testing or developmental education regardless of their skill level. A quantitative design compared the gateway course success of 10,703 exempt students in 2014 and 2015 to...
Show moreThe primary purpose of the study was to explore the potential impact of voluntary remediation on success in ENC1101 and MAT1033 (gateway courses) and on minority or low-income students in Florida. The study was prompted in 2013 when the Florida Senate exempted most students entering the Florida College System from placement testing or developmental education regardless of their skill level. A quantitative design compared the gateway course success of 10,703 exempt students in 2014 and 2015 to the success of 8,644 students who would have been exempt had the law been in effect when they completed their gateway courses in 2012 and 2013. Data were collected from three FCS institutions. Using Astin and Astin's 1992 Input-Environment-Outcome model (Astin & Astin, 1992), independent variables included demographics, such as race and Pell grant eligibility, and prior academic performance, as well as enrollment status and remedial course decisions and perf ormance. The study found the policy to have a statistically significant (α = .05) negative effect on student success in the gateway courses. The voluntary remediation policy that was in part enacted to improve college completion rates threatens to have the opposite effect. The results show that fewer proportions of students were successful (grade of C or higher) in both courses once remediation became voluntary (12.8% decrease for English; 19.3% decrease in math). The study revealed a need for further research to investigate the degree of this impact on minority and low-income students. The results also suggested a need for more research to learn which students are likely to benefit, or not, by taking a remedial course. Of the students in the study who voluntarily took a placement test and scored below credit level, 11.3% chose remediation before taking ENC1101 and 24.5% chose remediation before taking MAT1033. Of those students, most who earned an A or B in the remedial course were successful in the credit courses; most who did not earn at least a B in the remedial course were unsuccessful at the credit level. Results were significant (α = .05), and effect sizes were moderate (.344 for English; .430 for math).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004531, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004531
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement -- United States -- Florida, Developmental studies programs -- United States -- Florida, Educational attainment -- United States -- Florida, Remedial teaching, School failure -- Prevention, Universities and colleges -- Florida -- Administration
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A HISTORICAL LEGAL STUDY OF THE VULNERABILITY OF EDUCATIONAL OFFICIALS TO THE PRESS.
- Creator
- HORRIGAN, TERRANCE EDWARD., Florida Atlantic University, Connelly, George W.
- Abstract/Description
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The need that prompted this study was the educational officials' lack of exposure to changes in the libel law concerning their rights as educators and their newly defined classification as public officials. This classification creates the primary need for the study. Educational officials must prove actual malice when seeking libel suits. The purpose of the study was to historically investigate the present vulnerability of educational officials to the press. This vulnerability has been created...
Show moreThe need that prompted this study was the educational officials' lack of exposure to changes in the libel law concerning their rights as educators and their newly defined classification as public officials. This classification creates the primary need for the study. Educational officials must prove actual malice when seeking libel suits. The purpose of the study was to historically investigate the present vulnerability of educational officials to the press. This vulnerability has been created by the Supreme Court decisions since 1964. The New York Times Company , Inc. vs. Sullivan landmark national libel standard creating actual malice as the criterion for civil suit by a public official, set the pivotal point as a demarcation from the past to the present in the legal cases concerning defamation. This study researched the law of the past to the present to set the background to develop the manner by which legal research may be accomplished by the educator. The major conclusion of the paper is the need for a fairness doctrine for press coverage, the equal of the fairness doctrine of the radio and television. The paper supports the contention that the newspaper is a major industry in a protected status without the restrictions of a fairness doctrine not only for the public official, but for the private citizen. Even though the private citizen need not prove actual malice, as does the public official, he does not have the right to fair reply in the newspaper as he does on the radio and television. This in itself is a modern logical anachronism in the law. How can other forms of the media be open while the press is closed to public response? Another conclusion of the study is the need for the present-day educational official to be able to do preliminary legal research in educational problems. The research in libel is but an example of the manner in which a professional educator should be trained. Simply stated , the modern educator training centers must place more emphasis on the legal training of educational officials .
Show less - Date Issued
- 1977
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11688
- Subject Headings
- Educational law and legislation--United States--Cases, Libel and slander
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Florida's School Choice Policies and Democracy: Origins and Destinations.
- Creator
- Miller, Adam, Mountford, Meredith L., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
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School choice is a fast growing alternative to traditional public school education across the nation. According to the Florida Department of Education, school choice policies and laws are rapidly moving Florida away from more traditional forms of schooling toward an increasingly evolving school choice state landscape. The purpose of this study was to examine school choice in Florida by investigating the school choice policies enacted by the Florida legislature leading to the school choice...
Show moreSchool choice is a fast growing alternative to traditional public school education across the nation. According to the Florida Department of Education, school choice policies and laws are rapidly moving Florida away from more traditional forms of schooling toward an increasingly evolving school choice state landscape. The purpose of this study was to examine school choice in Florida by investigating the school choice policies enacted by the Florida legislature leading to the school choice environment in Florida today. Specifically, this investigation was limited to legislation in Florida between 1997 and 2014 and further limited to charter schools, home schooling, virtual education, and two choice options specific to Florida in which public dollars follow students to private schools, the Tax Credit and McKay Scholarship programs. These particular school choice options were chosen as the focus of this study because they change the where of education outside of tradit ional public schools. Other choice options such as magnet schools, inter-district choice, and intra-district choice simply move students among traditional public schools but keep them enrolled in traditional public schools. Ultimately the study hoped to provide a possible road map for the future of school choice policies in Florida. This study utilized a qualitative methodology utilizing document reviews and interviews. This study found that school choice policies in Florida have continued to expand and evolve over the years to increase the liberty available to families to choose the education of their children. This study also found that the Florida legislature has laid the groundwork for Florida school districts, through a focus on equality, to take advantage of a portfolio management model to increase student achievement. Although a focus on equality led to the enactment of various school choice options, some of these options have moved away from their original intent to financially benefit specific organizations and groups. Finally, as reported by Holme, Frankenberg, Diem, and Welton (2013), Florida's charter school, virtual education, and home education policies have been enacted as race-neutral policies that have no regard for diversity, which could lead to resegregation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004522, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004522
- Subject Headings
- Education and state -- Florida, Educational change -- United States -- Florida, Educational equalization -- United States -- Florida, John M. McKay Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities, School choice -- United States -- Florida, School districts -- Florida -- Management
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Administrative Discretion in Public Policy Implementation: The Case of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
- Creator
- Angervil, Gilvert, Thai, Khi V., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
- Abstract/Description
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This dissertation analyzes administrative discretion in public policy implementation in application of a new framework of integrative approach to administrative discretion developed from deficiencies of the citizen participation, representative bureaucracy, and private-interest groups democracy frameworks. The new framework holds that public agencies use discretion to integrate in decision making views of elected authorities, private-interest groups, public-interest groups, and other groups...
Show moreThis dissertation analyzes administrative discretion in public policy implementation in application of a new framework of integrative approach to administrative discretion developed from deficiencies of the citizen participation, representative bureaucracy, and private-interest groups democracy frameworks. The new framework holds that public agencies use discretion to integrate in decision making views of elected authorities, private-interest groups, public-interest groups, and other groups that seek to influence implementation. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy is used as the case study, and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is the implementation setting. The dissertation answers the following question: How integrative of group views was DOE’s discretionary decision making in the implementation of NCLB? This research applies a structured content analysis method that consists of content analysis and a content analysis schedule (see Jauch, Osborn, & Martin, 1980). Using a Likert question, the dissertation developed six integration levels of DOE’s discretionary decision making from not at all integrative to extremely integrative and found that most decisions were very integrative.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004808, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004808
- Subject Headings
- United States.--No Child Left Behind Act of 2001., Education and state--United States--History--21st century., Administrative procedure., Administrative discretion., Public administration--Decision making., Educational accountability--Law and legislation--United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Is there a relationship between academic achievement and school climate at the elementary, middle, or high school grade level?.
- Creator
- Doyal, Thomas Stacy., College of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning
- Abstract/Description
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Researchers have determined that many factors, including school climate, may be contributing to the lack of academic achievement of many of our students. In an effort to better understand this issue, this study tested for possible relationships between the school climate of multiple schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, and their students' academic achievement. Separate analyses were done at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. For the purpose of this study, academic achievement ...
Show moreResearchers have determined that many factors, including school climate, may be contributing to the lack of academic achievement of many of our students. In an effort to better understand this issue, this study tested for possible relationships between the school climate of multiple schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, and their students' academic achievement. Separate analyses were done at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. For the purpose of this study, academic achievement (criterion variable) was measure by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Math and Reading sections. School climate (predictor variable) was measured by the school district's yearly climate survey. In order to test the study's hypotheses, a linear multiple regression model using SPSS software was run to measure for any relationship between the criterion and predictor variables at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The relationships of individual predictors with the criterion were tested with correlations and the model including all seven predictors was tested with multiple regressions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/221943
- Subject Headings
- School improvement programs, Academic achievement, Educational equalization, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Educational tests and measurements
- Format
- Document (PDF)